Chapter 854: Let's Fight to the Death
On the other side, when Aleister reappeared.
She was back at the top of the bell tower, exactly where she had been when she first entered the painting.
The clock tower was still intact, but the surrounding buildings showed signs of being bombed. Compared with the scene still in her memory, it was clear what the city had gone through.
only……
"...It doesn't seem like the explosion was very severe."
Aleister commented sharply.
Although many buildings had collapsed, the outlines of the original complex could still be discerned. Over 70% of the structures still had their frames intact, with only the majority of the tall buildings gone. The lower-rise residences and shops, on the other hand, were almost entirely intact; even the streets hadn't been blown up.
Looking up, the clock tower has become the tallest building in the city.
Rather than being detonated from the ground by a missile or something like that, it's more like a meteor shower falling diagonally from a high altitude. Therefore, the higher objects will be damaged first.
“…It’s really surprising.”
Aleister looked up at the purple-red sky with a satisfied and excited expression.
A light purple halo instantly appeared at the bottom of her pupils, making her scarlet pupils reflect a color very close to the sky.
Aleister murmured softly, "I thought they would choose the Fallen Angel or the Shadow Angel..."
...But that's not necessarily the case.
Because there is another possibility here - that is, they do not know the "Endless Knot".
They had arrived on August 8th, the sacred number for both the Serpent Father and the Endless Knot. If they had only paid attention to the time, they could easily have learned the information that the Serpent Father was dead.
Although most people couldn't possibly know the true reason for the Serpent Father's abdication was to break through the Twilight Wall... but having reached the fourth to fifth level, at least the change in "royal power" should be known. Just as the Silver Crown Dragon was able to replace the Supreme Heaven, it's not impossible for the new Pillar God to replace the Serpent Father.
This is especially true for those who have been promoted from the first two paintings.
The first painting depicts the ascension of the Banquet Master. The three endings of the second painting depict the ascension of the Silver Crown Dragon, the ascension of Hengwo, and the ascension of Winged Celestial Master and the Lord of Scales and Feathers. Even if the theme remains the same, the third painting should also depict the succession of Pillar Gods.
But if they hadn't been honestly pushing the plot forward, and hadn't realized the identity of the "Endless Knot"...
...Then in the eyes of most promoted people, the Endless Knot, which is not one of the Nine Pillar Gods and does not have the title of "Heavenly Official", is at best just an apostle.
They voted for the Endless Knot precisely because they wanted to reach the simplest ending!
It's not because of their courage...it's because of their fear.
"That's really interesting."
Aleister couldn't help laughing: "He chose to escape out of cowardice, but ended up stepping into the most difficult river to cross.
"Is this fate? To give the weak an invincible enemy, and to give the cowardly an inescapable dead end..."
However, to fight against Huan Tiansi... it's still too outrageous for the promotion ceremony from level four to level five.
What can a group of fourth-level ascenders do?
—I beat Tiansi? Really?
The promotion ceremony couldn't contain a main quest that was impossible to complete. As long as this quest existed, it was theoretically possible to complete it, meaning that at least the three endings of the third painting could be completed.
However, this painting gives the most points and is also the most difficult.
There is a high probability that there will be a fight here.
...Even if Huantiansi comes, at most he can only fight with the monsters summoned by Huantiansi.
Fighting was never a problem for Aleister.
She only knows three words: fight! Awesome!
Aleister is looking forward to the arrival of Huantiansi, just because she really can't stand Huantiansi's Riddle Man.
She wanted to ask Huan Tiansi a few questions face to face - are you planning to eat me? Is my life being controlled by you?
——If that’s the case, then let’s declare war!
There is no way I'll give in!
I have to fight no matter what, even if I can't win in the end, I will bite off a piece of his flesh; if his "great plan" requires the existence of Aiwass and Aleister, and even the Pillar God can't save them... then I would rather fight him than let his conspiracy succeed.
Only those who are cautious will be bullied.
If she wanted to instill fear in others, she had to be unconditional and uninhibited. Only by displaying such ruthlessness, and only then would the other party realize she was truly prepared to fight to the death, would they step back and negotiate properly.
Just then, Aleister heard footsteps behind him.
Someone was walking up step by step through the spiral staircase inside the bell tower.
The Night Demon, who had transformed into a crow and was standing on the handrail, suddenly flew up and turned his head with Aleister.
"—I mean no harm."
It was a female voice: "Excuse me, can I come up?"
“…Come up.”
Aleister curled his lips and replied coldly.
When she first heard the footsteps, she thought it was Aiwass coming to find her.
At that time they had not yet separated and were both Aiwass.
It was here that Aiwass and Isabel watched Janice paint her last picture before leaving Avalon.
The bell tower holds special meaning for Aiwass, Aleister and Isabel.
Soon, a middle-aged woman with her hands raised slowly walked up.
She looked to be in her thirties, with a black ponytail and a low-key, formal women's suit.
Although she looked like an older woman, as an alchemist capable of refining anti-aging potions, her actual age must have been much older. The woman possessed the calm, friendly, and smooth demeanor of an official, and wore gold-rimmed glasses...she looked more like a courteous lawyer than a scholar.
"...The royal alchemist, huh?"
Seeing that the person coming was not Aiwass, Aleister said lazily, losing some interest: "You came to see me?"
"No, I just think... this clock tower might be the key point."
Princess Noelle said softly, “I heard from Lalo that you are Aleister Crowley…the hero who killed the Red Phase.
"I'm Noelle Valentine. Thank you."
As she spoke, she bowed deeply to Aleister.
Seeing that the man was not looking for a fight, Aleister lost all interest.
She waved her hand. "Whatever, anything's fine... That old dog is a real man. For his sake, I won't do anything to you. You can wait here if you want, but I don't recommend it."
"Because the enemy will appear from here later, right?"
Princess Noelle suddenly spoke.
Aleister looked at her in surprise.
Noelle continued, "Every tall building in the city has been destroyed, leaving only this clock tower intact, without even a trace of bombing. It's immediately apparent that this place is incredibly unusual. If it doesn't contain some crucial prop, then it must be the location chosen by the host for our final battle. There's nothing here, so it can only be the latter."
"...Why, you want to die?"
Aleister sneered, completely changing his friendly and gentle demeanor in the preparation room: "Do you know what kind of opponent you will face? If a fight really breaks out, I won't protect you."
For some reason, she suddenly felt a surge of panic and boredom.
An inexplicable anger made her obviously irritable.
But the eldest princess said calmly: "I am not here to seek death.
"On the contrary—I came here to find [courage]."
The last few words spoken by the "Sun" came to her mind:
"—Don't you want courage?"
"—Then I will give you courage."
Now, I have the courage, Noelle thought.
And I still need more courage, enough courage to face all difficulties.
This is a trial—and I will emerge from it.
"……snort."
Aleister snorted coldly, but his attitude became a little softer.
"Then be careful and protect yourself."
"...As expected, you are all good people."
Noelle whispered subconsciously.
"--Um?"
Aleister's eyes narrowed slightly as she keenly noticed a detail: "Wait a minute...
"Your Highness...what did you mean by that?
"Who are 'you'?"
(End of this chapter)
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